Career Launchpad Provides Workforce Training for Growing Number of Unemployed

August 20, 2020

When the Capital Region’s unemployment rate rose significantly because of COVID-19, Hudson Valley Community College President Roger A. Ramsammy assembled a college-wide task force to respond to what was certain to be a growing demand for specialized training for those looking to start a new career.

“We saw the number of unemployment claims rising this spring and through the summer due to COVID-19, and we knew that many of those who had lost their jobs may see this as an opportunity to re-invent themselves and re-train for a new career,” Ramsammy said.

The result of that task force’s efforts is Career Launchpad, which offers a combination of workforce training opportunities; community and professional education courses; and credit-bearing micro-credentials or “career bundles;” that can help quickly retrain individuals and launch them on a new career.

While the college has a nearly 70-year history of providing two-year associate degree programs for career and transfer students, Ramsammy and his staff knew that many of those who are currently unemployed may be looking for short-term non-credit training that can launch them on a career quickly. The focus for Career Launchpad is on providing career focused education that can do just that.

Prospective students are encouraged to explore non-credit and credit courses that will earn them certifications to advance in their field or fast-track training that will allow them to switch careers. Career Launchpad also provides access to Department of Labor information on the career outlook in various sectors to help students choose the path that is right for them.

The staff at the college’s Center for Careers and Transfer is offering personalized guidance to prospective Career Launchpad students and discussing how training from Hudson Valley can translate to job opportunities for both the short and long term.

“As higher education evolves, we need to understand that not all of our students are looking for a degree,” Ramsammy said. “Hudson Valley is perfectly positioned to offer a variety of training opportunities that can lead to new career paths. That’s critically important, especially now,” Ramsammy said.